Solid hydrogen storage system

ABSTRACT

A hydrogen storage system includes a pressure-sealed sleeve defining an interior and having an outlet, a shaft extending through the interior of the sleeve, a set of porous chambers arranged axially along and concentric to the shaft, and a hydrogen storage, wherein at least some hydrogen gas is supplied to the outlet.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/744,892, filed Jan. 15, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,934,165,issued Mar. 2, 2021, which is a National Phase application ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/EP2015/069166 filed on Aug. 20,2015, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hydrogen can be a fuel for creating consumable energy by way ofcombustion in an engine or conversion from chemical energy intoelectrical energy through a chemical reaction, such as in a fuel cell.In the aforementioned examples, the hydrogen fuel is typically suppliedin gaseous form. In order to generate consumable energy for an extendedperiod of time in such systems, a large amount of hydrogen gas, and thusa large amount of potential energy, can be stored for consumption.

Energy storage systems for hydrogen can include gaseous storage tanksand can be configured to hold hydrogen gas at high pressures near 700bar in order to store hydrogen in adequate quantities for particularenergy consumption needs. High pressure energy storage systems, such asthose storing hydrogen gases at pressures near 700 bar, must includemore robust components designed to handle or account for such highpressures. Additionally, since hydrogen gas is combustible, any rupture,breach, or failure of a gaseous storage tank or supporting pressuresystem holding high pressure hydrogen gas includes expose thesurrounding area to serious safety risks and danger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a solid hydrogen storage system, comprising apressure-sealed sleeve defining an interior and having an outlet, ashaft extending through the interior of the pressure-sealed sleeve, aset of porous chambers arranged axially along and concentric to theshaft and wherein at least one of the set of porous chambers includes aporous basket and a porous lid, and a hydrogen storage solid held by theat least one of the set of porous chambers and wherein hydrogen gasliberated from the hydrogen storage solid due to a chemical reactionflows from the at least one of the set of porous chambers and issupplied to the outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top down schematic view of an aircraft and powerdistribution system, in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of the operation of a fuel cell, inaccordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a solid hydrogen storagesystem, in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sold hydrogen storagesystem of FIG. 3 , in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the hydrogen storage solid andporous chamber of FIG. 4 , in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention can be implemented in any environment usinghydrogen as a fuel for creating consumable energy, for example, by wayof combustion in an engine or conversion from chemical energy intoelectrical energy through a chemical reaction. While this description isprimarily directed toward a hydrogen storage system to provide hydrogengases for conversion into electrical energy to power electrical systemsfor an aircraft, embodiments of the disclosure are applicable to anycreation of consumable energy by providing hydrogen gas for energygeneration. Additionally, while this description is directed toward anemergency power generation system in an aircraft, embodiments of thedisclosure can be further applicable to provide hydrogen gases togenerate stand-alone or supplemental electrical power in otherwisenon-emergency operations, such as takeoff, landing, or cruise flightoperations.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , an aircraft 10 is shown having at least onegas turbine engine, shown as a left engine system 12 and a right enginesystem 14. Alternatively, the power system may have fewer or additionalengine systems. The left and right engine systems 12, 14 may besubstantially identical, and may further comprise at least one electricmachine, such as a generator 18. The aircraft is shown furthercomprising a plurality of power-consuming components, or electricalloads 20, for instance, an actuator load, flight critical loads, andnon-flight critical loads. Each of the electrical loads 20 areelectrically coupled with at least one of the generators 18 via a powerdistribution system, for instance, bus bars 22. In the aircraft 10, theoperating left and right engine systems 12, 14 provide mechanical energywhich may be extracted via a spool, to provide a driving force for thegenerator 18. The generator 18, in turn, provides the generated power tothe bus bars 22, which delivers the power to the electrical loads 20 forload operations.

The aircraft 10 or power system can include additional power sources forproviding power to the electrical loads 20, and can include emergencypower sources 16, ram air turbine systems, starter/generators,batteries, super capacitors, or the like. The depiction of the aircraft10, emergency power sources 16, engines 12, 14, generators 18,electrical loads 20, and bus bars 22 are provided merely as onenon-limiting example schematic aircraft 10 configuration, and is notintended to limit embodiments of the disclosure to any particularaircraft 10 or operating environment. It will be understood that whileone embodiment of the invention is shown in an aircraft environment, theembodiments of the invention are not so limited and has generalapplication to electrical power systems in non-aircraft applications,such as other mobile applications and non-mobile industrial, commercial,and residential applications.

Additionally, while various components have been illustrated withrelative position of the aircraft (e.g. the emergency power sources 16near the head or cockpit of the aircraft 10), embodiments of thedisclosure are not so limited, and the components are not so limitedbased on their schematic depictions. For example, the emergency powersources 16 can be located in an aircraft 10 wing, a tail section, orfarther toward the rear of the aircraft fuselage. Addition aircraftconfigurations are envisioned.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example configuration of operation of an emergencypower source 16, shown as a fuel cell system 24, accordance with variousaspects described herein. The fuel cell system 24 includes a fuel cell26 including an anode 28 (positive side of the fuel cell 26) and cathode30 (negative side of the fuel cell 26) separated by an electrolyte 32that allows positively charged hydrogen ions 33 to move between theanode 28 and cathode 30. The fuel cell 26 can include a voltage output34 electrically coupled with the anode 28 and cathode 30 to providecurrent or electrical power generated between the anode 28 and cathode30. The voltage output 34 can, for example, power one or more electricalloads 20, illustrated by a representative single load 20.

The fuel cell system 24 additionally includes a hydrogen storage system36 including a set of hydrogen storage units 47 in communication withthe anode 28 of the fuel cell 26 such that the hydrogen storage system36 can provide hydrogen gas 38 to the anode 28. Each of the hydrogenstorage units 47 can be configured to provide the hydrogen gas 38independently of, or simultaneous with, other units 47, as designed baseon the hydrogen gas 38 needs or demands of the fuel cell system 24. Thehydrogen storage system 36 can optionally include a controller module 37configured to control the operation of the storage system 36 or theoperation of the set of hydrogen storage units 47, which will be furtherexplained below. The fuel cell system 24 can further include an oxygensource 40 configured to provide oxygen gas 42 to the cathode 30 of thefuel cell 26, and a water outlet 44 for removing water 46 from thecathode 30 of the fuel cell 26.

The fuel cell system 24 can optionally include an intermediary hydrogengas storage unit 39, illustrated in dotted outline, configured to storethe hydrogen gas 38 or excess hydrogen gas 38 that has been provided bythe hydrogen storage system 36 or hydrogen storage units 47. Onenon-limiting example of an intermediary hydrogen gas storage unit 39 caninclude a pressurized storage tank.

The anode 28 or cathode 30 can further include one or more catalyststhat cause, encourage, or promote the hydrogen gas 38 to undergooxidation reactions to generate the hydrogen ions 33 and electrons. Theions 33 can then traverse the electrolyte 32, while the electrons aredrawn to the voltage output 34 or electrical load 20. In this sense, thefuel cell 26 can generate direct current (DC). At the cathode 30, thehydrogen ions 33, the electrons, and oxygen gas 42 form the water 46which is removed from the fuel cell 26 by way of the water outlet 44.

The anode 28 and cathode 30 can be selected from various conductivematerials having a potential difference and configured to produce theabove-described chemical reactions. Particular anode 28 or cathode 30materials are not germane to embodiments of the invention. Additionally,the electrolyte 32 can be selected from various electrolytic materialsconfigured for fuel cell 26 operations, including, but not limited toproton exchange membrane-type fuel cells (PEM fuel cells, or PEMFC) orsolid oxide-type fuel cells. Additionally, while the fuel cell 26 isschematically illustrated as a single “cell” having one anode 28, onecathode 30, and one electrolyte 32, embodiments of the disclosure areenvisioned wherein individual cells are “stacked,” or placed in series,to create a desired voltage output 34 configured to meet a particularoperating requirement. For example, an emergency power source 16 can berequired to deliver DC power at 270V. Additional or alternative poweroperating requirements are envisioned wherein, for example, multiplestacked fuel cells 26 can be configured in parallel to provideadditional current. Moreover, while the illustrated embodiment describesa DC voltage fuel cell system 24, embodiments of the disclosure areequally applicable with fuel cell systems 24 configured to provide analternating current (AC) voltage output, for example, by way of aninverter system (not shown).

FIG. 3 illustrates an example hydrogen storage unit 47 for the hydrogenstorage system 36 having a pressure-sealed sleeve 48 terminating with afirst end 50 having an inlet 52 and an opposing second end 54 having agas outlet 56 (further shown in FIG. 4 ). The first end 50 and secondend 54 can include, for instance, pressure-sealing configurations andmountings configured for mounting the hydrogen storage unit 47 withinthe hydrogen storage system 36. While the hydrogen storage unit 47 isshown upright with the inlet 52 at the top of the unit 47 and the gasoutlet 56 is at the bottom of the unit 47, the illustrated depictiondoes not limit the orientation of the hydrogen storage unit 47 as it isstored in the hydrogen storage system 36.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hydrogen storage unit47 of FIG. 3 . As shown, the pressure-sealed sleeve 48 defines aninterior 58 having a shaft 60 fluidly coupled with the inlet 52 andextending through the interior 58 of the sleeve 48 and terminating at asealed distal end 62 proximate to the gas outlet 56. The shaft 60 caninclude a hollow cavity running axially through the shaft 60, and canfurther support a set of serially configured or axially aligned porouschambers 64 positioned along the length of the shaft 60. As illustrated,the set of porous chambers 64 can be circularly shaped and concentric tothe shaft 60, with the shaft 60 extending through the individualchambers 64.

The inlet 52 can be fluidly coupled with a water or steam reservoir (notshown) and configured to deliver water or steam to the interior 58 ofthe pressure-sealed sleeve 48, for instance, by way of the shaft 60. Thewater or steam can be dispersed within the interior 58 of the sleeve 48and ultimately reach or interact with the set of porous chambers 64.Alternatively, the inlet 52 can be thermally coupled with a heat source(not shown) and configured to deliver heat, for example, through athermal interface such as a thermally conductive material, the walls ofthe inlet 52 or shaft 60, or a heat pipe. The heat can be thermallydispersed within the interior 58 of the sleeve 48, and likewise,ultimately reach or interact with the set of porous chambers 64.

The set of porous chambers 64 can be manufactured or configured toinclude at least one wall having a porous interface to provide forpermeation of, for example, water, steam, or hydrogen gases through thewall. Thus, in one example configuration explained above, when water orsteam is dispersed within the interior 58 of the sleeve 48 by way of theinlet 52 or shaft 60, the water or steam can permeate the set of porouschambers 64 such that the water or steam can reach the interior of thechambers 64.

The set of porous chambers 64 can further be manufactured from orconfigured to include at least one thermally conductive wall to providefor thermal conduction of heat through the wall. In another exampleconfiguration explained above, when heat is delivered, for examplethrough a thermal interface, the heat can be conducted by way of the atleast one thermally conductive wall to transfer the heat to the interiorof the set of porous chambers 64. For example, if heat is delivered tothe interior 58 of the sleeve 48 through a heat pipe located in theshaft 60, the set of porous chambers 64 can be configured to conductheat received from the heat pipe, through the shaft 60, and through aninner concentric wall of the chambers 64, to the interior of thechambers 64, where it can radiate through the chamber 64. Alternatively,heat located in or delivered to the interior 58 of the sleeve 48 can bereceived into the interior of the set of porous chambers 64 by way of athermally conductive wall located away from shaft 60, such as through anouter concentric wall, a top wall, or a bottom wall of the chambers 64.

The gas outlet 56 can include a port configured to deliver hydrogen gaslocated in the interior 58 of the sleeve 48 to a fluidly coupleddestination, such as the intermediary hydrogen gas storage unit 39 orthe fuel cell 26. Embodiments of the gas outlet 56 can be furtherconfigured such that only hydrogen gases are allowed pass through theoutlet 56. For example, the gas outlet can include a gas-permeablemembrane or the like configured to allow hydrogen gases to permeate themembrane. In this sense, other materials that can be located in theinterior 58 of the sleeve 48, including, but not limited to steam orwater, will be prevented from passing through the gas outlet 56.

FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed view of one example porous chamber 64 inaccordance with various aspects described herein. As shown, the shaft 60can include a set of shaft segments 66 configured to axially align with,and couple to, adjacent shaft segments 66. The set of shaft segments 66can further include a set of radially or axially spaced ports 68 orapertures that provide access to the shaft 60 interior or shaft segment66 interior. In this sense, water or steam (represented by arrow 70)provided to the shaft 60 or set of shaft segments 66 can be dispersed(represented by arrows 72) within the interior 58 of the sleeve 48through the set of ports 68.

The shaft segment 66 can include or support the one or more porouschambers 64, wherein the chamber 64 further includes a porous basket 74and a porous lid 76. In the embodiment of the shaft segment 66illustrated, the porous basket 74 and porous lid 76 are fixedlyseparated along an axial length of the segment 66. In this sense, theshaft segment 66, porous chamber 64, or porous basket 74 and porous lid76 can be configured such that when adjacent shaft segments 66 areassembled, the lid 76 from a first shaft segment 66 can be coupled matedwith a basket from the second adjoining shaft segment 66.

Alternatively, embodiments of the porous chamber 64 are envisionedwherein at least one of the porous basket 74 or porous lid 76 can bemovable, and wherein the basket 74 and lid 76 on a single shaft segment66 can couple or mate to form a complete porous chamber 64.Additionally, the porous basket 74 and porous lid 76 can be keyed tocouple in one or more known or expected designs or orientations. In yetanother additional configuration, at least one of the porous chamber 64,porous basket 74, or porous lid 76 can be configured to mate or couplein such a manner as to provide for a known or expected deformation, forexample, in response to an expansion of a material held by the chamber64, basket 74, or lid 76, such as in a chemical reaction.

The porous chamber 64 is configured to hold or retain a hydrogen storagesolid 78 material. As used herein, a hydrogen storage solid 78 materialcan include a chemical composition including hydrogen molecules, whereinthe composition is in a solid state or solid form. Non-limiting examplesof hydrogen storage solids 78 can include metal hydrides, such aslithium hydride (LiH), or hydroxides mixed with metal hydrides, such aslithium hydroxide (LiOH), which can be produced, developed, or includedin the porous chamber 64 as a powder, or pressed-powder “cake.”Additional hydrogen storage solid 78 materials in additional solid stateforms are envisioned.

Embodiments of the hydrogen storage unit 47 operate by freeing,releasing or otherwise liberating hydrogen gases stored in the hydrogenstorage solid 78, for instance by way of a chemical reaction, anddelivering the liberated hydrogen gases to the fuel cell 26 via the gasoutlet 56 (see FIG. 4 ). In a first example embodiment, water or steamcan be supplied via the inlet 52 and through a hollow cavity of theshaft 60, wherein the water or steam is released into the interior 58 ofthe pressure-sealed sleeve 48 by way of the set of ports 68. The wateror steam can then permeate the set of porous chambers 64, wherein thewater or steam can chemically react with the hydrogen storage solid 78.For instance, in embodiments wherein the hydrogen storage solid 78 islithium hydride, the chemical reaction releases hydrogen gas and lithiumhydroxide, as follows:LiH+H₂O→LiOH+H₂.

The hydrogen gases can be delivered to the fuel cell 26, to generatepower for the emergency power source 16, as explained herein.

The amount of hydrogen storage solid 78, or the configuration of the setof porous chambers 64, set of ports 68, number of components, or formand amount of water or steams introduced into the interior 58 of thesleeve 48 can be selectively configured to meet a set of predeterminedcriteria. For example, the set of predetermined criteria, can includebut are not limited to, a target amount of total hydrogen gasesliberated, a target amount of hydrogen gases liberated per a period oftime (e.g. a flow rate of 1 kg of hydrogen per hour, etc.), a targettime to release the hydrogen gases as soon as possible (e.g. the fastestchemical reaction), a target time to release the hydrogen gases asslowly as possible (e.g. the slowest chemical reaction), or a targetpressure in the pressure-sealed sleeve 48 (e.g. maintain the pressurebetween 6 bar and 15 bar).

In a second example embodiment, heat can be supplied via the inlet 52and through a hollow cavity of the shaft 60, or in a shaft 60 having asolid and thermally conductive configuration, wherein heat is releasedinto the interior 58 of the pressure-sealed sleeve 48 by way of thermalconduction. The heat can then permeate the set of porous chambers 64,wherein the heat can initiate a chemical reaction of the hydrogenstorage solid 78. For instance, in embodiments wherein the hydrogenstorage solid 78 is lithium hydride and lithium hydroxide, the chemicalreaction releases hydrogen gas and a by-product of lithium oxide, asfollows:LiH+LiOH→Li₂O+H₂.

The hydrogen gases can be delivered to the fuel cell 26, as explainedabove.

The above chemical reaction is also exothermic, despite needing heat toinitiate the reaction, and the release of heat from the ongoing chemicalreaction can generate an environment in the pressure-sealed sleeve 48wherein the chemical reaction is self-sustaining. Just as in the firstembodiment explained above, various aspects and components ofembodiments of the disclosure can be selectively configured to meet aset of predetermined criteria.

Yet another example embodiment of the hydrogen storage unit 47, a hybridof the two chemical reactions explained above can occur. For example, afirst subset of the porous chambers 64 can include lithium hydride asthe hydrogen storage solid 78, and a second subset of the porouschambers 64 can include lithium hydroxide and lithium hydride as thehydrogen storage solids 78. In this example embodiment, the lithiumhydride of the first subset of the porous chambers 64 can chemicallyreact with water or steam to generate hydrogen gases and heat withlithium hydroxide as a by-product, as explained above. For instance, thesleeve 48 can be oriented to limit, by gravity, the water level, wateraccess, or the like, to only the first subset of the porous chambers 64such that the first reaction can occur in a first portion of the sleeve48.

The heat generated by the exothermic first reaction can then betransferred to a second portion of the sleeve 48 having the secondsubset of the porous chambers 64 to initiate the chemical reaction inthe second subset of porous chambers 64 in the chemical reactionexplained above. In this hybrid configuration the second subset of theporous chambers 64 can alternatively only include lithium hydride as thehydrogen storage solid 78, and the lithium hydroxide can be supplied asa product from the first chemical reaction. Thus, the hybridconfiguration can be configured to require both the application of heatand water to operate both reactions, leading to two independentmechanisms to control the reactions or to initiate both.

Embodiments of the chemical reactions described herein arenon-reversible. In this sense, once the chemical reactions describedabove have completed, they cannot be “recharged” to restore the hydrogengases in the hydrogen storage solids 78. Thus, embodiments of thedisclosure are envisioned wherein the hydrogen storage units 47 areremovably installed in the hydrogen storage system 36, such that spent(e.g. previously reacted) hydrogen storage units 47 can be replacedduring maintenance operations. The spent hydrogen storage units 47 canbe, for example, returned for refurbishment or refilling with new orunspent hydrogen storage solid 78. Alternatively, embodiments of thedisclosure can include hydrogen storage solids 78 or hydrogen storageunits 47 configured to include rechargeable or chemically-reversiblehydrogen storage solids 78.

The controller module 37 of the hydrogen storage system 36 can beconfigured to control the operation of the storage system 36 or theoperation of the set of hydrogen storage units 47, to release hydrogengases stored in the hydrogen storage solid 78. The controller module 37can control these operations based on, for example, receiving a demandsignal indicative of a demand for hydrogen gases. The demand signal canoriginate from an aircraft system indicating a supplemental amount ofelectrical power is requested to be generated by the fuel cell system 24(and thus the need for hydrogen gases), or that the aircraft 10 requirespower from the emergency power source 16 during emergency operations. Insuch an example, the controller module 37, in response to receiving thedemand signal, can control the initiation of the aforementioned chemicalreactions in a subset of hydrogen storage units 47, by selectivelysupplying at least one of water, steam, or heat to the subset ofhydrogen storage units 47. The resulting chemical reactions can thenliberate the hydrogen gases from the hydrogen storage solids 78, asexplained herein.

The initiation of the chemical reactions in the subset of hydrogenstorage units 47 can occur by way of selectively enabling access ortransmission pathways for the water, steam, or heat, as needed. In thissense, the controller module 37 can be controllably coupled with, forexample, a water source providing water or steam, or a set of valvescontrolling water or steam access to a selective subset of hydrogenstorage units 47 having lithium hydride-based hydrogen storage solids78. In another example, the controller module 37 can be controllablycoupled with a heat source to controllably deliver heat to a selectivesubset of hydrogen storage units 47 in the storage system 36 havinglithium hydroxide-based hydrogen storage solids 78.

Additionally, embodiments of the demand signal can include a signal thatprovides a binary indication of a demand for hydrogen gases, and thecontroller module 37 can operate a portion of a computer program havingan executable instruction set for controlling the liberation of thehydrogen gases from the hydrogen storage units 47 according to apredetermined profile, predetermined design, or operationalcharacteristic, as described above. The fuel cell 26 can then generateelectricity from the liberated hydrogen gases.

The computer program having an executable instruction set can beincluded as part of, or accessible by, the controller module 37 in amachine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executableinstructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readablemedia can be any available media, which can be accessed by a generalpurpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor.Generally, such a computer program can include routines, programs,objects, components, data structures, and the like, that have thetechnical effect of performing particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Machine-executable instructions, associated datastructures, and programs represent examples of program code forexecuting the exchange of information as disclosed herein.

Alternatively, embodiments of the demand signal are envisioned whereinthe demand signal can further include a quantitative element of thedemand for hydrogen gases, for instance, a high demand, a medium demand,or a low demand. The quantitative element of the demand for hydrogengases can be further related to, for example, different operatingprofiles for supplemental power (e.g. a small amount of supplementalpower versus a large amount of supplemental power). The quantitativeelement of the demand for hydrogen gases can have the technical effectof operating different computer programs, or modifying the execution ofthe computer programs to adjust for the particular demand.

The controller module 37 can also operate by, for example, controllablystaggering the initiating of the chemical reactions in respectivehydrogen storage units 47 based on the predetermined profile,predetermined design, or operational characteristics of the fuel cellsystem 24, as explained above. Many other possible embodiments andconfigurations in addition to that shown in the above figures arecontemplated by the present disclosure. Additionally, the design andplacement of the various components can be rearranged such that a numberof different in-line configurations could be realized.

The embodiments disclosed herein provide a method and apparatus forreleasing hydrogen gas from a hydrogen storage solid. The technicaleffect is that the above described embodiments enable the controlledliberation of the hydrogen gases in accordance with designconsiderations and operational characteristics described herein. Oneadvantage that can be realized in the above embodiments is that theabove-described embodiments have superior hydrogen storage capabilitieswithout the safety concerns of storing gaseous hydrogen at highpressures. The solid-state storage of the hydrogen minimalizes thepotential energy of the hydrogen storage system, eliminates the dangerhydrogen gas leaks at high pressure storage, and ensures the longevityof the hydrogen being stored. Longevity of the hydrogen being storedleads to fewer maintenance operations to maintain the overall system.

Additionally, because the above-described embodiments of the disclosureoperate at low pressures, no high pressure hydrogen infrastructure isrequired, reducing manufacturing and certification costs. Thus, thecapabilities of hydrogen gases on demand provide for safer handling,lower pressure systems, and multiple methods of controlling the chemicalreactions, ensuring the low pressure environment.

Another advantage of the above-described embodiments is that theindividualized hydrogen storage units, along with selective control ofeach unit, result in a hydrogen storage system that can be scaled to forthe amount of hydrogen gases supplied, providing efficiencies of sizeand weight to suit the need. Additionally, the hydrogen storage solidsdescribed herein have a high hydrogen storage capacity, providing a highweight of stored hydrogen, and a lower overall system weight. In yetanother advantage, non-reversible or non-rechargeable hydrogen storagesolids can be individually replaced, as described herein. When designingaircraft components, important factors to address are size, weight, andreliability. The above described hydrogen storage system results in alower weight, smaller sized, increased performance, and increasedreliability system. The stable storage of hydrogen in a solid statereduces maintenance needs and will lead to a lower product costs andlower operating costs. Reduced weight and size correlate to competitiveadvantages during flight.

To the extent not already described, the different features andstructures of the various embodiments can be used in combination witheach other as desired. That one feature cannot be illustrated in all ofthe embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but isdone for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of thedifferent embodiments can be mixed and matched as desired to form newembodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described.Moreover, while “a set of” various elements have been described, it willbe understood that “a set” can include any number of the respectiveelements, including only one element. All combinations or permutationsof features described herein are covered by this disclosure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and can include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A solid hydrogen storage system, comprising: apressure-sealed sleeve defining an interior and having an outlet; ahollow shaft fluidly coupled with a water reservoir and extendingthrough the interior of the pressure-sealed sleeve, the shaft furtherincluding a set of ports configured to deliver water received from thewater reservoir to the interior of the pressure-sealed sleeve; a set ofporous chambers arranged axially along and concentric to the shaft andwherein at least one of the set of porous chambers includes a porousbasket and a porous lid; and a hydrogen storage solid held by the atleast one of the set of porous chambers and wherein hydrogen gasliberated from the hydrogen storage solid due to a chemical reactionflows from the at least one of the set of porous chambers and issupplied to the outlet.
 2. The solid hydrogen storage system of claim 1wherein at least one of the porous basket or the porous lid is movablein an axial direction relative to the shaft.
 3. The solid hydrogenstorage system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the porous basket orthe porous lid are keyed to couple in one or more known or expectedorientations.
 4. The solid hydrogen storage system of claim 1, whereinthe porous basket and the porous lid couple to allow for expecteddeformation of at least one of the porous basket or the porous lid. 5.The solid hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein the set of porouschambers includes at least a first porous chamber having a first porouslid and a first porous basket and a second porous chamber having asecond porous lid and a second porous basket, wherein the first porousbasket of the first porous chamber couples to the second porous lid ofthe second porous chamber.
 6. The solid hydrogen storage system of claim1, wherein the at least one of the set of porous chambers are at leastone of water-permeable or steam-permeable.
 7. The solid hydrogen storagesystem of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen storage solid is at least one ofa metal hydride, lithium hydride, or lithium hydroxide.
 8. The solidhydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein the shaft further comprisesa set of shaft segments configured to axially couple with adjacent shaftsegments, and a shaft segment includes the porous basket and the porouslid.
 9. The solid hydrogen storage system of claim 8, wherein the set ofporous chambers comprises the porous lid of a first shaft segment andthe porous basket of a second adjacent shaft segment.
 10. The solidhydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen storage solidis a powder.
 11. The solid hydrogen storage system of claim 1, whereinthe chemical reaction is non-reversible.
 12. The solid hydrogen storagesystem of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the at least one of theset of porous chambers is moveable relative to the shaft.
 13. The solidhydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein the outlet is fluidlycoupled with a fuel cell.
 14. The solid hydrogen storage system of claim13, wherein the fuel cell is operably coupled to an aircraft.
 15. Thesolid hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein the pressure-sealedsleeve is configured for exposure to pressure up to 15 bar.
 16. Thesolid hydrogen storage system of claim 1, wherein the at least one ofthe set of porous chambers are configured to deform in response to anexpansion of the hydrogen storage solid due to the chemical reaction.17. A method of releasing the hydrogen gas from the solid hydrogenstorage system of claim 1, the method comprising: receiving, by acontrol module, a demand signal indicative of a demand for hydrogen gas;and in response to receiving the demand signal, controlling, by thecontrol module, the initiation of the chemical reaction in at least aportion of pressure-sealed sleeve having the at least one of the set ofporous chambers defined by the porous lid and the porous basket thathold the hydrogen storage solid, by selectively supplying at least oneof water or heat to the at least a portion of pressure-sealed sleeves,wherein the chemical reaction liberates the hydrogen gas from thehydrogen storage solid, and wherein the liberated hydrogen gas isproportional to the demand for hydrogen gas.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the controlling further includes staggering the initiating ofthe chemical reaction in the at least a portion of pressure-sealedsleeves to maintain the pressure of the hydrogen gas between 6 bar and15 bar.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the receiving the demandsignal is further indicative of an emergency power demand in anaircraft.